Marco Pantani

For the first time, an unprecedented journey into the life of Marco Pantini. Set against the backdrop of his beloved Cesenatico, with public and private archive material and intimate conversations with family members and close friends. With tenderness, empathy and love, The Natural tells the story, from the inside, of the man and the sportsman.

The 1998 edition will occupy a special place in the history of the Tour. Not only because it was marred by doping scandals, but also because it reached new heights in sporting terms. The Deux Alpes stage and the rise to power of Marco Pantani, the winged climber, will remain one of the greatest moments in the sport. Impressive in his victory in 1997, Jan Ullrich went on to show admirable spirit in defeat by winning two more stages. This passing of the torch between two great champions made the 1998 Tour so memorable and provided us with some exceptional images.

By adding his name to the list of Tour winners in 1999, Lance Armstrong had overcome adversity and earned the admiration of all. By winning again in 2000, the champion took on a whole new dimension. This time, all the greats were there. Like the others, Ullrich, winner in 1997, and Pantani, winner in 1998, had to admit the superiority of the American, who won one of the most spectacular Tours in recent years. An exceptional winner, a race full of action... All the ingredients were there to write some of the most beautiful pages in the history of the Tour...

The determination of cyclist Marco Pantani leads him to win the Giro d'Italia and (as the only Italian) the Tour de France, as well as to overcome serious accidents. In 1999, his hematocrit level is found to be above the permitted threshold: this marks the beginning of a downward spiral that leads to depression and death from drugs.